Situation: During my sophomore year at the University of Maryland, I demonstrated excellent communication skills, serving as co-captain on my flag football intramural team.

Task: Our goal was to win the playoffs, and as one of the team captains of the 12 players, I had to make sure to communicate with everyone so we understood the plan and strategy.

Action: I organized practice times twice a week, communicated via group text, and sent calendar invites to everyone. I also recorded our practices and sent them via email afterwards so that my teammates could re-watch the moves we practiced together.

Result: Because of all the steps that I took to communicate with my team, we felt prepared for the playoffs and won the series. My teammates told me how much they appreciated my reminders and videos, as they helped them feel more confident in what role they played on game day. I learned that communication is extremely important for a team to be successful.

Takeaway: This experience taught me that clear, consistent communication can significantly boost a team’s confidence and performance. By tailoring messages to the team’s needs, like using texts for quick updates and video for visual learning, I ensured everyone stayed informed and engaged. I’ve carried this lesson forward by always considering the best channels and formats for communication, especially when working with diverse teams or tight deadlines. Effective communication builds trust and helps teams work more cohesively toward shared goals.

Situation: Each year, Stamp Student Union hires multiple student employees, aiming to attract qualified candidates.

Task: As the marketing assistant for Stamp Student Union, I was tasked with marketing a recruiting event to attract new student employees.

Action: I created and led a committee of three other campus partners to reach multiple audiences, established a timeline, and developed and implemented a month-long social media campaign to promote our event.

Result: As a result, 30 students attended the event, which increased our applicant pool by 23 percent. I was proud of how everything turned out

Takeaway: This experience reinforced that effective leadership means bringing people together around a shared goal, empowering them to contribute their strengths, and maintaining clear communication throughout the process. By organizing a committee, setting a timeline, and coordinating efforts across campus partners, I saw how strategic planning and collaboration can produce measurable results. I now approach leadership opportunities with a focus on building strong teams, setting clear objectives, and ensuring everyone feels invested in the outcome.

You may find that the interactions you have with employers differ depending on the person. Reciting your pitch all at once may not always be appropriate. See below for an example of how you can still incorporate the information from your pitch into a conversation with an employer.

Student: Hello, I’m (your name).

Employer/Recruiter [introduces themselves and you might shake hands]

Student: I am a (fill in the blank) major with an emphasis on (your particular area of focus if it is related to the employer). I’m very interested in (fill in what the organization does), and in your company in particular due to your value for (insert value or information gathered from their website). I would like to learn more about what internship/job opportunities your company offers.

Employer: [Mentions internship/job opportunities]

Student: That sounds very interesting! What skills and experience are needed to qualify for your entry level positions?

Employer: [Lists some of the skills and experience they look for]

Student: Between my coursework, employment, and volunteer experience I’ve been able to develop a number of skills including (list your relevant skills and experiences relevant to this particular employer). And I bring a sense of passion and enthusiasm to everything I do! What are the next steps for applying to your organization?

Employer: [Offers information on next steps]

Student: Thank you so much! This was very helpful. May I leave a copy of my resume with you? / May I have your contact information so I can follow up with you later?